A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alban family of England.
Reg. 5232 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Erm. a crescent in the fesse point gu”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Alban Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Alban arms are recorded
The Alban arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Alban arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Alban Family in England
The surname Alban has deep roots in the British Isles, with the name likely originating as a topographic or locational descriptor linked to the ancient Latin name Albanus. This name was historically associated with Saint Alban, the first British martyr, which helped it gain popularity throughout England during the medieval period. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Alban family were active participants in the social and economic life of this northern hub. During this era, families in York were often involved in the city's thriving trade guilds and local governance, suggesting that the Albans were integrated into the urban fabric of one of England’s most important administrative centers. Their presence in York during this time reflects the broader movement of families who helped shape the development of English towns before the significant social shifts of the later century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
albus
A Latin term meaning white or bright.
This name
AlbanDerived from a Roman cognomen indicating someone from Alba or having a fair complexion.
also spelled
Alben
Albin
Albyn
Related arms
Albynvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
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crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
